IMO, Lexus has enough well balanced SUV's already. Adding a RAV-4 sized suv is really not needed. The RX is at a size that can go small to midsized. I already dont see a lot of Infinitis EX, BMW X3, or Mercedes GLK thingys on the roads meaning the market for it is not that great. Enough with the SUVs already, we have enough, and stick with the renewed coupe and sedan focus. Id rather see a 4-wheel drive CT turbo than a new NX. Just my opinion tho.

With rising fuel prices and higher fuel-economy standards, a new smaller compact SUV/CUV will be need.

Reports suggest Lexus wants a slice of the downsized crossover market, and will build another model to sit below its RX450h.

The smaller car will keep the familiar 'spindle' design cues, but opt for smaller four-cylinder powertrains (with hybrid drive an option). The smart money is on the baby RX being twinned with Toyota's next-generation RAV4.

Lexus Trademarks NX 200t & NX 300h for Upcoming Compact Crossover

Quote:

Big news today — Lexus has trademarked NX 200t & NX 300h in the USA, Canada, and Australia, giving the very first details about the much-rumored Lexus compact crossover.

Following the X SUV naming convention established with RX, GX, & LX, the NX trademark filing also offer some clue to what will be under the hood:

The NX 200t could be powered by the recently announced 2.0L turbo-charged four-cylinder engine.

The NX 300h will likely have the same 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid engine from the ES 300h.

If this NX does end up using the 2.0L turbo engine, this trademark also provides a potential timeline — according to the announcement last month, this engine won’t be put into production until 2014.

(There is one part of the name that I can’t figure out — what does the N stand for?)

I am personally very interested in this CUV as I will be in the market for something like this in the next few years. The rumor that Lexus was going more aggressive and expressive, a la RR Evoque, has me very excited. Something with a slick design, ~225hp ~40MPG hybrid would be exactly what I need.